Afterthought Heels Made Easier and Neater

Learn how to insert lifelines and waste yarn, transfer heel stitches to your knitting needles and pick up gap stitches to create neat and tidy afterthought sock heels

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Introduction - 0:00
Afterthought Heel Set-Up - 1:33
Opening the Heel and Getting the Sts onto Needles - 5:39
Minimizing Gaps at the Sides of the Heel - 10:33
Final Notes - 18:19

Featured in this Tutorial

Yarn: HiKoo CoBaSi
Needles: skacel by addi Flexi Flips
Notions: dental floss, Knitter's Pride Wool Needle, 2 Brittany Cable Needles

#1Sock2SockRedSockBlueSock #1Sock2Sock #TheChillyDog

[sharynmaclean]

I had stopped making afterthought heel socks because I could not find totally tidy method for preventing any hole, even the tiniest hole bothered me.was You have solved the problem brilliantly. I had one pair of socks that still need afterthought heel but I could not face it. Until yesterday! I went to YouTube and took one last chance of finding something and there you were. I finished the socks last night and they are perfect. Bless you, I can make afterthought socks again.

[LiLiJughead]

I've watched several videos on how to do this and yours is the best. Nice and clear and just the right pace without babbling. ❤️

[karachickering]

I am "experienced enough" in afterthought heels, I wasn't expecting to learn something new. Surprise, surprise! Never thought to use cable needles for those extra corner stitches. You are very clever, Ellen!

[All.things.grandish]

ANY time I need to know how to do something, I come straight to you. And once again, you have provided the ultimate solution. Thank you so much…I had sworn off afterthought heels but got seduced by a pattern 😂.

[clairec]

A comprehensive tutorial. Unlike other tutorials the visual is clear because solid, contrasting colors are used versus variegated yarn. Camera angles excellent showing stitches clearly. Thank you so much for your willingness to share your skills.

[suzannemaitland]

This is far more the best way to start an afterthought heel, i can’t thank you enough

[cynthiawillard]

My kitten loves watching this tutorial. Wish I had a picture to share but he's 3 feet from the tv set and mesmerized! Until you pulled the lifeline out.

[akelley.]

Thank you for the idea about the dental floss guideline. The floss pulls out so easy compared to another piece of yarn.

[hisalone]

You have revealed to me the “mystery” of this technique in one short video! I’ve watched numerous others but they were not as clearly explained for whatever reason. BRAVA and a zillion thanks! I’m going to start a new pair of socks for hubby this weekend and I’ll be using your technique. Beverly

[cynthiagilbreth]

I can’t wait to try this. I’ve done several of these heels, but as I watch this video I’m knitting socks with a heel flap and gusset.

[crystalwarelk]

Thank you! I found a pattern that I liked and want to make but it literally just said “do an after thought heel setup with waste yarn” and then later had very vague instructions for actually doing the after thought heel. So I was very confused. This made it easy to understand!

[sherikoehler]

thisseems to be the most understandable method as i can actually see the stitches and was slow enough to make somre sense of it.

[karenboehlert]

I love afterthought heels. If you get a hole in your sock heel, you can do another and have them look like new again!
Your tutorials are excellent and I look forward to them. Thank you. :)

[patriciaorourke]

This is fabulous! I was going to give up on afterthought heels until I saw this video. Thanks!

[katherinef]

Great tutorial. Thanks for such a clear and thoughtful explanation.

[missree]

I usually do a heel-flap-gusset sock (stitches on needles the entire time), but now I want to try an afterthought heel. Your video made it look easier and less scary. lol The dental floss. Yes!

[carol]

Fantastic video. Thank you. Great idea to have a lifeline below and above the scrap yarn.

[maritzapoza-grise]

I was able to do this following your video and not elevate my blood pressure fretting about runaway stitches and holes. Yay. Your patient and clear explanations are greatly appreciated!

[bekahjanthevintagedreamer]

Wow! This was incredibly helpful! Now i'm not scared to try an afterthought heel. Also, how you explained that the decrease needs to point toward the gap was super helpful and a light bulb moment for me. Thankyou so much!

[AnneGoggansQHHT]

Clear and simplified. Thank you. Love the lifelines and waste yarn. I just couldn’t cut like other methods. I knit a stocking with an afterthought heel over the holidays and LOVED it! I’m knitting a pair of socks and was doing a short row heel, and hated it, I thought, “Why am I doing this? I love the afterthought, and it would look great with this self striping yarn!”